HELP? Any So. NH Dem Lawyers who can answer a question re: Palin rally in Dover this wednesday?

[JohnMcCant2008]

Batshit Crazy Palin is coming to speak inside Dover H.S. this wednesday. This is clearly a partisan event, promoted by the NH GOP party and listed on McCain's website.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081010/GJNEWS_01/710109870&SearchID=73332778686986

In a nutshell, our town ordinances specifically prohibit campaigning in our town hall (section - Use Of City Property) but don't mention public school buildings. I've tried to find our School Board policies online, but they are unavailable online at the moment.

I am going to the town office in the morning to get a copy of the school board policies. I suspect that they will say one of the two following: they should either flat-out prohibit political campaigning of any kind on public school property OR if they can and do allow it, that it can only be done in a bipartisan manner.

Either way, we should have a basis to shut her rally down or force them to move it last minute, shouldn't we? Anybody know how these things work in other towns?

I wouldn't be nearly as interested in the legality of this rally if not for the last week and their rallies becoming such vulgar, racist hate-fests.

I don't want the HATE TALK EXPRESS in my town...............

[City of Mills]

1. Can't help with your request, BUT -

If you're interested, Obama will be in Londonderry on Thursday! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

This Thursday, October 16th, please join Barack Obama in Londonderry, where he will talk about his vision for creating the kind of change we need.


Community Gathering
with Barack Obama

Mack's Apples
230 Mammoth Road
Londonderry, NH

Thursday, October 16th
Gates Open: 10:00 a.m.

http://nh.barackobama.com/Londonderry

This event is free and open to the public. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

[RayOfHope]

2. Different state, but Obama spoke in a high school in Missouri in July

of course school wasn't in session. His campaign picked up the entire tab, there was an article about it in the paper because some people were pissed.

[sniffa]

3. You're not my coworker are you?

I wanted to go (outside or in) but it's apparently at 11:00 am. :(

At the least, I wanted to let my coworker know she's going to be at his high school.

[JohnMcCant2008]

11. I don't think so - I am a stay at home Dad here in Dover - I posted an update below.....

[traveller]

18. ah, just like Todd.

but you both have outside interests

[HughMoran]

19. You love the Palins, don't you

You're always informing us about their family!

[traveller]

20. you make

silly assumptions. Have a good day.

[HughMoran]

21. No, you've made only 67 posts - many defending Palins family

Why are you seemingly here to defend the Palins?

[traveller]

23. my concern has always been to leave the kids out of the politics.

[JohnMcCant2008]

24. NOT like Todd. I find the Palins vile and repulsive... I am the anti-Todd.

[FLyellowdog]

4. I'm concerned about students who will be attending.

Is this a voluntary thing or are students required to go? It's being held during school hours it appears. I don't like the sound of it if the entire school is to be an audience. And if it's voluntary, wouldn't some students feel pressured to attend even if they didn't want to? Jus sayin'...

[SoxFan]

10. I wouldn't worry about the kids in Dover!

2004:

Bush/Cheney Kerry/Edwards

Dover Ward 1 739 1,613
Dover Ward 2 802 1,563
Dover Ward 3 1,419 1,605
Dover Ward 4 1,142 1,620
Dover Ward 5 919 1,449
Dover Ward 6 1,185 1,375




2006:

Bradley Shea-Porter

Dover Ward 1 363 821
Dover Ward 2 384 822
Dover Ward 3 856 1,050
Dover Ward 4 676 1,038
Dover Ward 5 525 785
Dover Ward 6 620 838

[onenote]

5. Hillary spoke at the same school last year during the primary campaign

Albeit on a Saturday.

[SoxFan]

8. let it go

Vanessa Kerry and Chrissie Gephardt spoke to students during the 2004 cycle. Also, campaign events have been held at Dover City Hall and at the Waldron Towers senior center. If th city decided to suddenly enforce this now, it would look like partisan douchebaggery on our part.

[JimDandy]

6. As long as you're asking...

check on the school's policies regarding uniformed band, dance and cheer squad members attending or performing at partisan events.

I've seen videos of uniformed high school bands, dance teams and cheer squads performing, many during school hours, at McCain/Palin rallies in various states. I don't know how they are able to do that. The schools get federal funds. It can't be legal to use school resources (including uniforms which are official representations of the school) to support one partisan candidate over another.

Just look at the photos posted on DU earlier today of McCain's rally with all those high school cheerleaders, in uniform, lined up along the catwalk, cheering as McCain dances down it.

edit to add example

[SoxFan]

7. It's kosher

The city and/or school board has allowed candidates and surrogates to speak at the school in the past. In 2003, Chrissy Gephardt (Dick's daughter) spoke at Dover High School. Vanessa Kerry also visited both Dover HS and Spaulding HS as well.

Wes Clark had a campaign event at Dover City Hall, and I attended Jeanne Shaheen's campaign announcement event there in 2002.

I won't even get into the issue of Waldron Towers. Everybody, be they Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, Baath, Fianna Fail, or Christian Democrat, has campaigned at that place.

[AllentownJake]

9. Candidates should be able to hold rallies in public buildings

As long as the access is bipartisan and the candidates pay for their use. Despite the fact she is batshit insane she is the nominee for Vice President for one of the two major political parties in this country.

If she holds a hatefest than voters in New Hampshire can compare that to the positive message of Joe Biden.

[JohnMcCant2008]

15. The key is whether access is bipartisan - I am calling the police dept to find out if we will be

allowed to have pro-Obama or anti-McCain/Palin signs INSIDE the building..................

There is no question now that they can have the rally - they payed a rental fee............ (see my post below)

[cjsmom44]

12. Coming to my town too

Well Batshit Palin is coming to Bangor ME on Thursday...I feel your pain

[JohnMcCant2008]

13. UPDATE - I spoke to the Superintendant's office this morning - a very nice Obama supporter

Dover School System has no policy regarding political campaigns in public school systems. If a group pays the rental fee, they are allowed to use the school auditorium. By those standards, I guess the Klan could have a meeting there if they want. anyhow...........

There is only a half-day of school on wednesday so there is no interference with the kid's schedules. No children are being forced to attend as part of any curriculum........

I confirmed that Palin was not invited by Dover - the Repub campaign arranged the visit, rented the hall, etc and is in charge of distributing tickets and hand picking the crowd that will be allowed.

I was told many other campaigns have spoken there in the past from all different parties.

My next call is to the Dover Police Department to get the particulars on how they intend to handle protesters and whether or not we will be allowed inside the building with signs during the rally.

I will update again later.........

[JohnMcCant2008]

16. ANOTHER UPDATE: I spoke to the PD and town hall a fe minutes ago.....

The PD has made no arrangements for protesters, etc and referred me to the town hall with any questions.

The town clerk's office said they have no control over attendees or who will or won't be allowed in the building. She said to contact the local repub. office to find out if Obama or protest signs will be allowed in the building. I think we know the answer to that already.

It looks like the only recourse here is a BIG LOUD PROTEST for the cameras!!

I am starting a new thread to see how many DU members are in the area that can help the cause!

[bunnies]

14. Hey Neighbor.

I want to go protest but I have to work in Portsmouth tomorrow. :( Nothing I'd like more than to shout that asshole down. :grr:

[JohnMcCant2008]

17. Call in sick! You almost wouldn't be lying - Palin makes ME nauseous.....

[traveller]

22. ,,,,,,,,,

wrong thread. sorry, self delete.